The Night Owl

Hello all,

It’s me, the night owl, still up past 2:00 a.m.. Being up this late happens more often than not, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve been this way. I stay up late and sleep in late. I mean, seriously, it’s a celebration if I am asleep before midnight. I have tried getting on a regular sleep schedule but it just never works out. Because of this, I have worked the evening shift since I started working at age sixteen. With my current job, I am not even home until almost midnight and it doesn’t help that I am not one of those people who can crawl into bed right when they get home. I have to unwind, relax, and tinker around for an hour or two before even thinking about falling asleep. Speaking of falling asleep, I just so happen to be the most chatty during the dark hours (hence, the late night post). As soon as my head hits that pillow, my mind awakens and I could chat about it for hours. What is it though about laying down and suddenly remembering everything on your to-do list, and all your memories, secrets, fears, and worries? I don’t know about you, but my mind just runs and runs and runs as soon as I lay my head down!

I do love my peaceful, quiet, night-time hours after work. Even though it’s late, I love coming home, putting my feet up, and soaking in the alone time. Being the introvert that I am, I need peace and quiet to recharge myself, mentally and emotionally. So, I’ve sort of gotten into the habit of using nights as ‘my time’. Please don’t take this the wrong way by thinking that I don’t enjoy late company, because I do. If I had night-time company, I’d chat all night. In fact, it’s my favorite time to chat! I just enjoy the quiet hours after work to myself.

However, as much as I love my quiet night hours, I sort of hate that I am a night owl at the same time (it’s a love-hate relationship). I wish that I could join my husband in bed and be able to fall asleep quickly. On the nights that I do climb in early, I am tossing and turning for more than a couple hours every single time. I’ve tried melatonin, which actually does help, but I don’t want to rely on a sleep aid for the rest of my life, so I don’t use it every night. I’ve also tried lavender essential oil but it just so happens to be one my most hated smells. Therefor, it only irritates me and thus, keeps me awake.

Another reason why being a night owl frustrates me is because when I stay up late, that means I sleep in late. When I say late, I’m saying that if not woken, I will sleep past noon. This nonstop cycle has gone on my entire life. I’m a bear to wake, truthfully so. Just ask my mother and unfortunately, now my poor husband could agree! I don’t like that I still sleep in, I truly wish I didn’t. I’ve tried to change it and I just don’t know what to do anymore. Weirdly though, I can wake up early if I pick up morning shifts at work, have early morning classes, or need to make early morning appointments. However, for some reason, on my days off, it’s as if my body knows that it can sleep for as long as it wants to, and I won’t wake up until late morning or so. It’s a rare occasion that I wake up before my alarms. Oh yeah, I say alarms because I am also that person that sets at least four phone alarms and one regular alarm placed across the room. Yet, I still sleep through all of them. It’s so frustrating! As much as I like sleep, I really do enjoy early mornings when I am awake for them. They’re peaceful, sunny, and calming. Not to mention, I always feel happier, refreshed, and more energetic later in the day!

As I try to get myself into new routines, I can’t help but wonder if it’s a lost cause trying to become a morning person. I personally think that you’re either an early bird or a night owl and that that’s just simply who you are as a person. This night owl act has been going on for many, many years already and It’s hard to change a habit I’ve had this long! So, we’ll see! Maybe my habits will change someday, or maybe they won’t. Right now, I’m still the same ol’ night owl (clearly).

What about you? Are you an early bird or a night owl? If you’re a night owl like me, do you have any tips on rising earlier the next day?